The following is the information I posted about the Live Action Movie back in July of 2004.
Everyone by now has heard about the DBZ live action movie. I'm sure that some people are very upset about the news and some are very happen about it. The Dragonball Z Live Action Movie rumor started in 1999 - 2000 and lasted almost 5 years. At this time hollywood was shooting many films such as Spiderman, X-Men, Hulk, and other cartoon/comic book stories. So a live action dbz movie wasn't as far as people think. There where heated debates about it on message boards, chat rooms even threw instant messaging about the subject. With movies with super special effects such as Star wars, and the Matrix I along with hundreds of fans really thought Fox 2000 or another film company would have the rights and be in reproduction with the movie. As we all know that wasn't the case as we learned near weeks ago.
"Fox 2000 will be doing at least 3 movies, they be done just like Lord of the Rings was done back to back. The movie was said to be out 2004 but due to casting problems it looks like we will see a 2005 release date. Fox is shooting for a PG-13 rating and a running time form 3 -4 hours (4 DBZ movies long). Some titles I've hear are "Dragonball Z", "Dragonball Z Unlimited" or "Dragonball Z: The Fight for Mankind". I've hear that the movie will be change from the show, and only some events and character names will be used, such as Raditz coming to Earth and going to Master Roshi's house (I hear this will not happen, in fact in the movie Raditz will come to the tournament were Goku is fighting in. This is just a humor). Goku will not be wearing his orange gi but a blue suit, Gohan will be 7 years old not 4. Mr. Popo will be a great fighting master, Bulma will be a fighter, Vegeta and Nappa will go to earth 2 years after Raditz was killed (not 1 like in the show), When Goku lands on Earth he will be found by monks and raised (no Grandfather Gohan), King Kai will be called "Kai", Oolong, Puar and Kai (King Kai) will be CGI and the voices will be the one from the show."
Those where just some of the rumors hear over the internet. Many people believe that Fox 2000 was doing the movie but because of problems and that fact that there wasn't much support for the movie in hollywood. There are also very strong rumors of other hit anime series being made into live action movies and that Fox 2000 may have believe that live action anime movies would not go over with American views. This fact is base off the fact that 5 out of 10 Americans who watch anime dislike the dub versions because of editing problems. Many of the hottest anime's ever to hit American TV have yet to see a full uncut version. Even the Dragonball Series was "toned" down. The fact that Fox 2000 way be waiting for another movie to come out and see how American movie goers reactions are.
Before the DBZ live action movie rumors there was another before it, only this one is not a rumor. That's right I'm talking about the very first "unofficial' Dragonball movie done back in the 80's. Dragonball: The Magic Begins was the very first and likely the worst movie ever made. Most fan sites wont even talk about this movie. Even know the movie is way off, it does relate to Dragonball, the look of characters, and some story plots match. All of the characters names are changed, but they are simple enough to figure them out. An example is Monkey Boy (which would be Son Goku) and Turtle Man (which would be Master Roshi). In the movie they don't search for dragon balls they search for dragon pearl's (same thing). The story is much the same but because this was an 'unofficial' movie they could not use the real names and places. You wonder why this movie is so bad? Think of it this way. Find the worst movie you have every see, times it by 10 and that's Dragonball: The Magic Begins.
I only saw the movie 1 time and I thought it was very funny for a movie. I mean the movie was made in the late 80's, and was done in Hong Kong so what else would it be but a cheesy movie. On a side note I believe some time in the next 2 or 3 years a live action dbz movie will be made. The special effects will be better and I'm sure someone will find a way. I mean there making a Fat Albert movie... I mean come on I would rather go see Gone with the Wind (which is a good movie) than Fat Albert.
Source: DragonballFinal.com
